Alexander Rocco Ferraro, 75, a man of many interests, died Aug. 9 at New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton after a lengthy illness.
Born at his parents’ home in East Boston, the middle child of two immigrants from Italy, his life was devoted to learning and family values.
A graduate of Everett High School and Merrimack College, he received his master’s degree from Boston State College and earned an Ed.D from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He was an Army veteran, having served in France in the 1950s.
For 32 years, he was a special education teacher for the city of Boston. He lived in Milton for many years.
He enjoyed life and continued to travel and participate in life despite an illness that progressed over the past few years.
He appreciated family gatherings and celebrations, Italian culture, music, especially opera, photography and writing. He had studied art with Jim Hooley.
He participated in the Arise program at St. Agatha Church. He had a deep love of country and his religion.
Son of the late Elena (Santilli) Ferraro and Rocco Ferraro, he is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Condon) Ferraro; his siblings, Irene Ferraro, Mary Kendrick and Elena Iandoli, all of Everett, and the Rev. Michael Ferraro of St. Mary’s Parish in Lynn; his in-laws, Mary Faunce and her husband, Gerald, John Condon, and Ann Reese and her husband, Doug; his nieces and nephews, Janice Sessa, Linda Fragione, Debra Kendrick, Donna Fenton, John Kendrick, Mary Jo Veader, Michael Iandoli, Gerald Robert Faunce, Michael Faunce, Christina Deignan, Matthew Faunce, Siobhan Santos, Lauren Edstrom, Daniel Reese and Tara Condon; several grandnieces and nephews; and two great-grandnieces.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 12 in St. Agatha Church. Burial was in Milton Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the water project in Peru, in care of the Sisters of Charity – Halifax, Advancement Office, 125 Oakland St., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-5338.
Arrangements were by the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home.